back you. No deception,
gentlemen; a game which is nothing but luck."

The suave gambler's next throw was eleven.

"An even pound you lose, mister," said William to the digger.

"Done," cried the Prospector. "Put out the money."

Carnac threw twelve, said, "The little lady's mine," and took the pool.

The digger handed two pounds to the winner and a pound note to Young
William who, crumpling his money in his palm, said, "Oysters for supper
and a bottle of fizz--there'll be no end of a spree."

The monotonous round of the game continued, till Tresco's borrowed money
had dwindled to but five pounds, which was enough for but one more
chance with the dice.

The Prospector had fared but little better. What with the money he had
staked, and side bets on individual throws, his pile of money had been
reduced to half.

"There ain't nothin' mean about me," he said, "but I'd be obliged if
some gen'leman would shout."

Dolphin touched the bell, and said, "I was beginning to feel that way
myself."

A very undersized young man, who had plastered his black hair carefully
and limped with one leg, appeared, and said in a very shrill voice,
"Yes, gentlemen."

"Who are you?" asked Dolphin.

"I'm the actin'-barman," replied the young man, twirling the japanned
tray in his hands, and drawing himself up to his full height.

"I should call you the blanky rouseabout," said Dolphin. "We want the
bar-maid."

"Miss Quintal says she ain't comin'," said the important youth. "To tell
the truth, she's a bit huffed with the 'ole lot of yer. What's your
orders, gents?"

He had hardly got the words out of his mouth, when Young William rushed
him from the room and along the passage.

Dolphin rang the bell, but no one came to the door till Young William
himself reappeared.

"I guess we won't have no more trouble with that lot," said he. "I
jammed 'im inter a cupboard under the stairs, along with the brooms an'
dustpans. 'Ere's the key. I'll take your orders meself, gentlemen."

"Where's the lovely bar-maid?" asked Dolphin.

"She's that took up with a gent that's got a cast in his eye and a red
mustache," replied William, "that she's got no time fer this crowd.
What's yours, Garstang? Look slippy. Don't keep me all night."

The men named their liquors, and Young William, taking three shillings
from Dolphin, returned to the bar.

He was rather a long time away, and when he reappeared Carnac remarked,
"You've been deuced slow over